It is the latest affliction caused by smart phones, after 'text neck' and shoulder pain.

Scientists have found just five hours on smart phones and tablets a day may increase the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Our obsessive tapping, swiping and scrolling is causing severe pain in people's hands and wrists, a study published in the journal Muscle & Nerve found.

These repetitive movements compress the median nerve which runs through the hand, leading to burning, tingling and potential permanent nerve damage.

A study found almost half of young people who used electronic devices for five hours or more suffer wrist pain, while ultrasounds show internal damage.

Scientists have found just five hours on smart phones and tablets a day may increase the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome

A challenge for the 21st century

Dr Stephen Simpson, director of research at Arthritis Research UK, said it was a small study but added: 'Previously we only saw this type of repetitive strain injury in people using a mouse and keyboard at work.

'Now we have these new repetitive movements, swiping and tapping, in our leisure time, as people are barely ever without their smart phones and tablets.

'This is a real new challenge for the 21st century and I would encourage anyone suffering symptoms of burning and tingling to contact their GP promptly.'

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The worst symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are seen in people who use multiple devices or operate their smartphone with just one hand.

Researchers from Hong Kong Polytechnic University looked at 48 students who used tablets, mobile phones, laptops, computers and video game consoles for five hours or more a day, comparing them with less frequent users.

What did they find?

A questionnaire found almost 92 per cent of the first group had suffered musculoskeletal pain in the previous 12 months, compared to just a quarter of the second.

DON'T USE YOUR PHONE AT NIGHT

Teenagers who use their mobile phones at night suffer poor sleep and are more likely to be depressed, a study found in May.

While mobile phones are prized by teens as essential for their social lives, a study suggests they would do well to lock them in a drawer at bedtime.

Parents should consider ‘digital curfews’ where their children are not allowed to use mobile phones or computers at night, the Australian study warned.

While teenagers will no doubt protest that the ban is not fair, they need to be educated about how staying up texting or playing games on their phones will leave them depressed and irritable, the research suggested.

None of those who spent less than five hours on their devices suffered wrist or hand pain, but 45.5 per cent of more frequent users did. Ultrasound scans showed these people also had significantly flattened and enlarged median nerves.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of this nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel – a narrow passage in the wrist made up of bones and tissue which acts as a pulley for the tendons which bend the fingers.

It follows warnings from back and neck specialists that children as young as seven are suffering from 'text neck', spending so much time stopped over their phones and tablets that their spine can be pushed more than an inch out of alignment.

Known dangers

The latest study states that the longer people spend on electronic devices the more pain they suffer in their hands and wrists, and the longer it lasts.

The authors' previous work found 54 per cent of 500 students who intensively used electronic devices had suffered musculoskeletal symptoms. They conclude that people should take regular rest and exercise breaks to reduce their risk.

Co-author Peter White, from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, said: 'Vigilance in educating and monitoring young people using electronic devices is important, especially children and adolescents as they are less capable of self-regulating.'